Dignity Health Begins Construction of Rehabilitation Hospital

New Joint Venture with Kindred Healthcare Extends Patient Services

Dignity Health today underscored its commitment to expanding patient services in the Valley with the groundbreaking of the new Dignity Health East Valley Rehabilitation Hospital. The Chandler facility is a joint venture between Dignity Health and Kindred Healthcare and is expected to open in fall 2016.

The two-story, 58,000-square-foot facility will include a stroke unit, physical therapy gym and 50 beds to serve patients recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and similar medical conditions. Located at 1515 W. Chandler Blvd., it is expected to employ about 190 staff.

“We are committed to delivering excellent care to patients when they need it and where they need it,” said Tim Bricker, the CEO of Dignity Health’s two other East Valley hospitals, Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers. “This new hospital and our partnership with Kindred allows us to spread our mission of healing to patients in ways that are most efficient and beneficial to them.”

Bricker said the partnership with Kindred brings together two outstanding organizations that have had a long, well-respected presence in the Valley.

“Kindred’s national presence and many integrated care locations provides significant opportunities for people to access the right care in the right setting to support recovery and wellness,” said Jon B. Rousseau, President, Kindred Rehabilitation Services. “Through this partnership with Dignity, we will deliver industry-leading outcomes in intensive rehabilitation environments and a full continuum of post-acute care in the Greater Phoenix area.”

Under terms of the joint venture creating Dignity Health East Valley Rehabilitation Hospital, both Kindred and Dignity Health are equity stake holders.

The new facility is the first Dignity Health free-standing rehabilitation hospital in Arizona and the latest in a series of major partnerships for the organization. Dignity Health began primarily with acute care hospitals including: Arizona General Hospital, Chandler Regional Medical Center, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Westgate. From this foundation, Dignity Health has expanded rapidly in recent years into a comprehensive health care system, which includes imaging centers, clinics, specialty hospitals, physician groups, urgent cares, insurance providers and other clinical partnerships.

Kindred in Arizona currently operates hospitals, a skilled nursing facility and provides home health, hospice and personal care services. In the Phoenix area, Kindred operates two transitional care hospitals, is developing a new 120-bed transitional care center (licensed for skilled nursing care) and provides home health and personal care services.